U  A 


Col.  VARNUM's 


ADDRESS, 


AN 


ADDRESS, 

DELIVERED 

To  the  THIRD  DIVISION  of  MASSACHUSETTS  MILI- 
TIA, at  a  REVIEW,  on  the  PLAINS  of 

CONCORD, 

27th    AUGUST,    180O. 


BY  HON.  JOSEPH  B.  VARNUM  ESQ. 

Col.  in  the  fame  Divifion. 


C  A  M  B  R  I  D  G  E, 

PRINTED    BY    WILLIAM    HILLIARD, 

1800* 


3 


.  JUNE  ift,  1800. 
PEAR  SIR, 

THE  Committee  appointed  by  the  Officers  of  the  3d  Di- 
vifion, of  the  Militia  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  by  them  duly 
authorized  for  the  purpofe,  have  defired  me  to  inform  you  that  it 
is  their  wifh  that  you  deliver  an  Addrefs  to  the  Officers  of  the 
Divifion  the  prefent  year,  at  fuch  time  and  place  as  fhall  hereafter 
be  appointed,  ON  THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  A  WELL  ORGANIZED 

AND     DISCIPLINED     MILITIA,     TO    PRESERVE   AND    PERPETU- 
ATE  THE   PRINCIPLES   OF  A  REPUBLICAN    GOVERNMENT. 

I  am  your  moft  obedt.  iervt. 

WILLIAM  HULL,  Chairman. 
Jion.  Col,  JOSEPH  B.  VARNUM. 


DRACUTT,  AUGUST  i3th,  1800. 

MY   PEAR   GENERAL, 

RESTING  on  the  candour  of  my  fellow-citizens,  to  pafs 
by  any  unintentional  error  which  may  efcape  me,  and  accept  of 
my  upright  intentions,  I  will  attempt  a  compliance  with  the  wifli 
of  the  Committee  of  the  Officers  of  the  3d  Divifion  of  the  Mili- 
tia of  Maffachufetts,  communicated  by  your  letter  of  the  nrft  of 
June  laft.  I  am  Sir,  with  high  efteem, 

your  obedient  Servant, 

J.  B.  VARNUM. 
Ma.  Gen.  WILLIAM  HULL. 


NEWTON,  28th  AUGUST,  1800. 
SIR, 

THE  Committee,  appointed  by  the  Officers  of  the  3d  Divi- 
fion of  the  Militia  of  Maffachufetts,  have  defired  me  to  prefent 
to  you  the  thanks  of  the  Divifion  for  the  elegant  and  truly  re- 
publican Addrefs,  which  you  delivered  on  the  plains  of  Concord, 
on  the  2^?th  inft.  and  to  requeft  a  copy  for  the  prefs. 

WILLIAM  HULL,  Chairman. 
Jion.  Col.  J.  B.  VARNUM. 


DRACUTT,  SEPTEMBER  17th,  1800. 

J.1V  DEAR  GENERAL, 

WITH  grateful  fenfibility,  I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  communication  of  the  28th  of  the  laft  month,  in  behalf  of 
the  Committee  of  the  Officers  of  the  3d  Divifion  of  the  Militia  of 
Maffachufetts,  exprefling  the  thanks  of  the  Divifion,  for  the  Ad- 


M189459 


drefs  delivered  on  the  plains  of  Concord,  on  the  Sfyth  ult.  and  re« 
quefling  a  copy  for  the  prefs.  With  deference  to  the  requeft  oi 
the  Committee,  and  from  having  always  been  in  the  habit  of  con- 
(idering  a  requeft  from  my  fuperior  Officers,  in  their  official  ca- 
pacity, equivalent  to  a  command,  I  have  been  induced  to  inclofe 
you  a  copy  of  the  Addrefs  referred  to. 

With  fentiments  of  high  refpeft 
and  efleenij  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Sir,  your  moft  obedient  Servant, 

J,  B,  VARNUMo. 
Maj.  Gen.  WILLIAM  HULL. 


ADDRESS,  &c. 


HAPPINESS    IS    THE    PRIMARY    PURSUIT    OF    MAN* 

O  fecure  the  enjoyment  of  as  great  a  por- 
tion of  this  blefling  as  the  lot  of  humanity  will  admit, 
it  has  been  found  neceffary,  by  the  people  of  all  ages, 
in  confequence  of  the  primitive  apoftacy,  to  form  fo- 
cial  compa&Sj  andeftablifh  fyftems  of  civil  government. 

VARIOUS  have  been  the  forms  of  government  which 
have  been  introduced  among  men,  but  that  fyftem 
which  is  bed  calculated  to  promote  the  happinefs  of 
the  people,  is  mod  congenial  to  the  principles  of  its 
inftitution,  and  juftly  claims  the  moft  cordial  fupport 
of  every  individual. 

ALTHOUGH  fyftems  of  civil  government  have  been 
fo  numerous  in  the  world,  it  is  conceived  that  they 
admit  of  a  natural  divifion,  into  two  claffes  ;  one  com- 
prehending all  thofe  in  which  a  majority  of  the  peo- 
ple retain  the  fovereignty,  and  are  juftly  denominated 
free  governments  ;  the  other,  comprehending  thofe  ' 
which  veft  the  fovereignty  ii\  a  minority  of  the  people, 
whether  it  be  in  one  man,  or  in  any  greater  number  of 
men,  and  are  with  propriety  denominated  arbitrary 
governments. 

THOSE  fyfterns  of  government  which  diveft  a  majo* 
rity  of  the  people  of  the  fovereignty,  are  in  their  ope- 
ration, generally  arbitrary  and  oppreffive  ;  but  thofe 
in  which  they  retain  it;  are  liberal  in  their  operation  ; 


r   s   ] 

the  fureft  defence  of  life,  liberty  and  property  3  and 
the  moil  congenial  to  profperity  and  happinefs. 

THE  fyftem  of  government  eftablifhed  in  the  United 
States,  under  which  we  have  the  happinefs  to  live, 
makes  folemn  declaration,  that  "  government  is  infti- 
tuted  for  the  common  good  ;  for  the  protection,  fafe- 
ty,  profperity  and  happinefs  of  the  people  ;  and  not 
for  the  profit,  honor,  or  private  intereft  of  any  one 
man,  family  or  clafs  of  men  ;  therefore  the  people 
alone  have  aninconteftible,  Unalienahle,  and  iridcfeafi- 
ble  right  to  inftitute  government  ;  and  to  reform,  al- 
ter, and  totally  change  the  fame,  when  their  protection, 
fafety,  profperity  and  happinefs  require  it."  Believ- 
ing this  declaration  to  be  founded  in  the  moft  facred 
truth,  will  it  not  incontrovertibly  follow,  that  every 
government  which  deprives  the  people  of  thefe  rights, 
is  not  only  arbitrary  and  oppreffive,  but  diametrically 
oppofed  to  the  principles  of  morality  and  religion  ? 
which  is  the  only  foundation  on  which  any  fyftem  of 
civil  government  can  be  fupported,  with  a  rational 
profpect  of  the  approbation  and  bleffing  of  Heaven. 
For  if  government  is  inftituted  for  the  common  good, 
and  the  people  have  an  inconteftible  right  to  form* 
alter,  and  change  the  fame,  as  will  beft  comport  with 
their  own  profperity  and  happinefs  ;  this  ineftimable 
privilege  muft  have  been  conferred  on  them  by  INFI- 
NITE WISDOM  :  And  if  fo  conferred,  how  exceedingly 
impious  muft  it  be  in  any  one  man,  or  clafs  of  men,  to 
wrcft  it  out  of  their  hands  ;  and  in  the  people  to  alien- 
ate it  by  any  art  of  theirs. 

OFTEN  the  character  of  a  people  is  moft  clearly  dif- 
cernible  by  the  fyftem  of  government  under,  which 
fhcy  live. 

KNOWLEDGE  and  virtue  are  indifpenfibly  neccflary 
in  the  formation  and  fupport  of  a  republican  fyftem  ; 


L      9      ] 

but  ignorance  and  vice  are  delicious  food  fordefpotifm? 
and  all  kinds  of  arbitrary  government.  Hence  it  will 
follow,  that  under  arbitrary  governments,  the  body 
of  the  people  are  frequently  ignorant  and  vicious ;  but 
in  republican  governments  fupported  in  their  purity, 
ufeful  knowledge  and  virtue  will  prevail. 

1*0  verify  this  pofition,  recur  to  the  vile  charafter 
of  the  tyrant  of  Shinar,  who  firft  introduced  a  monarchi- 
cal, defpotic  and  arbitrary  government,  to  the  character 
of  the  people  whom  he  governed,  and  extend  the  idea  to 
the  character  of  the  defpots  of  the  world,  and  of  the  peo- 
ple whom  they  have  governed  fince  that  period ;  and 
on  the  other  hand  contrail  the  theocracy  or  republican 
fyftem  of  government  introduced  by  the  SUPREME 
GOVERNOR  OF  THE  UNIVERSE,  among  the  ancient 
Hebrews.  View  the  immaculate  character  of  the  au- 
thor, and  the  chara61er  of  that,  and  of  other  nations, 
xvhile  they  have  lived  under^  and  fupported  in  its  puri- 
ty* that  ethereal  fyftem  ;  and  contemplate  the  wonder- 
ful proficiency  which  they  have  coiiftantly  made  in 
ufeful  knowledge,  and  the  miraculous  deliverances 
and  profperity  which  they  have  experienced  from  the 
hand  of  Providence. 

THE  dreadful  calamity  of  war  foori  fucceeded  the 
introduction  of  arbitrary  governments  ;  and  ftanding 
armies  the  bane  of  liberty,  but  neceffary  concomit- 
ants of  tyranny  were  by  degrees  eftablifhed.  Hence 
followed  oppreffion,  devaluation,  and  the  torrents  of 
human  blood  which  have  been  £hed  by  defpotic  am- 
bition and  cruelty. 

ARBITRARY  governments  v;ere  introduced  by  de- 
praved man,  and  like  corrupt  fountains,  have,  from 
their  firft  commencement,  been  conftantly  difgorging 
torrents  of  oppreffion  on  the  human  race  ;  but  repub- 
lican governments  were  introduced  by  INFINITE  W ifc 
B 


E     10     ] 

DOM,  and  by  their  Benign  influence,  have  without 
eeaiing  cliff  tiled  the  Tweets  of  liberty,  profperity  and 
happineis. 

ARBITRARY  governments  are  calculated  to  deprefs 
(he  mind  of  man,  and  render  him  ufelefs  in  fociety  \ 
yea,  ten  thoufand  fold  worfe  than  ufelefs — for,  the 
itate  of  vaifalage  and  dcpreiTion  in  which  they  place 
him,  drives  him  to  a  It  ate  of  clefparation,  and  he  be- 
comes a  fit  lool  in  the  hands  of  ciefpotSj  to  butcher  the 
human  race,  and  fpreaci  devaluation  through  the  world. 
But  an  energetic  republican  government,  like  the  glo- 
rious fyitem  eilabliihed  in  the  United  States,  is  calcu- 
lated to  expand  and  ennoble  the  mhid  of  man,  and 
render  him  ufeftit  to  fociety.  It  is  oppofed  to  all 
kiiiils  of  orfeniive  war,  but  m-oft  admirably  calculated 
to  defend  againil  every  aggreifion.  Being  founded 
on  the  principles  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  it  is  a 
favorite  of  benevolence,  and  a  companion  of  philan- 
thropy :  Its  primary  qualities  are  calculated  to  pro- 
mote the  happineis  of  mankind,  and  the  glory  of  their 
Creator. 

THE  faithful  have  never  been  fufTercdto  lofe  their 
reward.  Wherever  a  republican  government  has 
been  e(tabliilied,andreligioufly  iupported,  profperity 
and  happhiefs  have  been  enjoyed. 

WJIIL;;  the  ancient  Greeks  and  liomans  retained 
their  liberty  and  republican  government,  they  made 
wonderful  proficiency  in  the  arts  and  fcienccs,  and  in 
i7iany  kinds  of  ufcful  knowledge,  and  were  profperous 
and  happy  ;  but  how  exceedingly  reverfe  was  their 
fituation  when  they  relinquished  thefe  principles,  and 
embraced  monarchy. 

THE  Jewifh  nation  enjoyed  the  bleflings  of  a  re- 
publican government  many  hundred  years  ;  during 


[    »    J 

which  period  they  were  miraculoufly  delivered  from 
'lelpotic  vengeance,  fed  from  Heaven,  and  profperecl 
ih  all  their  lawful  purfuits  ;  but  when  they  forfook 
their  ethereal  government,  and  infifted  on  a  king,  Di- 
vine difpleafure  was  clearly  manifdled,  and  the  mo(t 
diftreffing  calamities  awaited  them  ia  their  final  dif- 
perfion. 

IF  republican  governments  are  thus  plcafmgto  Hear 
ven,  and  happifying  to  men,  how  exceedingly  have  a 
great  part  of  mankind  milled  the  object  of  their  pur- 
fuit,  by  embracing  thofe  fyftems  which  are  founded  in 
iniquity,  and  every  way  calculated  to  render  them  com 
pietely  miferable  :  But  is  not  the  fa 61  fufficient  evi- 
dence of  the  prevalence  of  vice  in  the  world;  and  an 
important  monitor  to  thofe  who  (till  retain  free  go- 
vernments, eautioufly  to  avoid  the  rocks  and  Ihoals 
on  which  others  have  foundered  ? 

)  WHEN  mod  of  the  nations  of  the  world  had  funk 
into  a  ftate  of  degradation  and  mifery,  under  defpotic 
oppreffion,  this  American  Canaan  was  pointed  out  bv 
Infinite  Benevolence,  as  an  afylum  for  the  oppreffed. 

THE  many  fufferings  which  were  fuftained  by  our 
anceUors  in  this  wildernefs  and  favage  country,  were 
confidered  by  them  as  trivial  burthens,  when  compar- 
ed with  thofe  they  had  been  compelled  to  endure  m 
their  native  land ;  here  they  were  bleffed  with 
the  fweets  of  liberty,  and  the  rights  of  confcience  ; 
their  love  of  freedom,  and  zeal  in  religion^  enabled 
them  with  heroic  fortitude  to  f  urmount  every  obftacle, 
and  glide  cheerfully  on  towards  that  meridian  fplendor 
and  happinefs  which  is  now  enjoyed  by  the  people  ol 
the  United  States, 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  many  provocations  to  a  to- 
tal alienation,  they  continued  their  filial  affe&ion  for 


r    «    j 

:.  Great-Britain,  and  affifted  her  in  her  wars  with  France 

arid  Spain.     Although  the  laft  French  war  in  Ameri- 

^ca  which  was  terminated  by  the  treaty  of  Paris  in 

.-;  17  63,  arofe  from  a  difpute  between  Great-Britain  and 

France,  relative  to  the  territory  of  Nova-Scotia,  and 

the  navigation  of  the  Miffifippi,  and  not  from  any  dif- 

pute between  the  French  and  Americans,  yet  they 

furnifhed  her  with  twenty  -five  thoufand  men,  and  paid 

them  out  of  their  owrj  treafuries,  to  affift  her  in  fub- 

duing  the  French  colonies  in  America. 

BUT  the  infatiable  thirft  for  defpotic  fway,  which  is 
too  prevalent  in  the  hearts  of  tyrants,  prompted  the 
Britifh  cabinet,  the  next  year  after  the  clofe  of  this 
long  and  diftre'ffing  war,  to  extend  the  hard  hand  of 
oppreflion  to  the  people  of  America  :  Many  acls 
v/ere  paiTed,  depriving  them  of  their  ancient  rights, 
in  violation  of  the  parental  affeclion  which  nature  dic- 
tates, and  of  that  juftice  which  reafon  clearly  defig- 
nates,  and  which  merit  inconteftibly  claims. 

THE  extraordinary  proceedings  of  the  Britifli  mo- 
narch, toward  the  people  of  America,  for  ten  years 
before  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
are  j  u  ill  y  and  very  beautifully  delineated  in  the  de- 
claration of  Independence. 

'••  i+  NEITHER  the  humble  and  pathetic  petitions  repeat- 
$.41y  preferred  to  the  Britifh  government,  nor  the  man- 
ly .attitude  which  the  people  affumed  for  the  defence 
of  their  rights,  could  alter  the  determination  of  the 
King  to  eftablifh  an  abfplute  tyranny  over  us. 


THE  rapacious  conduft  of  his  troops,  under  the 
command  of  Col.  SMITH,  on  the  igth  of  April  1775, 
in  purfuit  of  the  (lores  of  this  ftate,  and  of  our  vene- 
rable fellow-citizens  JOHN  HANCOCK  and  SAMUEL 
APAMS,  is  a  juft  epitome  of  his  arbitrary  and  unreknt- 


[      »3      3 

determination.  Can  we  take  a  retrofpecl  of  thai 
cruel  and  bloody  fcene  without  feeling  the  warmeifc 
emotions  of  deteftation  to  all  kinds  of  arbitrary  govern- 
ment ?  View  the  eight  unoffending  citizens,  who  fell 
the  firft  viclims  of  this  defpotic  caree.r  on  the  plains  of 
Lexington  !  Behold  the  republicans  with  their  gar- 
ments rolled  in  blood  at  Concord  bridge  !  See  the 
wanton  definition  of  the  public  property  ;  arid  mark 
the  footfleps  of  the  defpotic  band  from  Concord  to 
Charleftown  !  the  inhabitants  robbed  of  their  proper- 
ty !  buildings  in  flames  !  the  roads  ftained  with  hu- 
man blood,  ftrewed  with  the  bodies  of  the  wounded 
and  dead,  and  refounding  with  the  dying  groans  of  our 
departing  friends !  Little  ones  crying  with  lamentable 
accents  from  the  fields  and  from  the  groves,  having 
been  frightened  from  their  homes  by  this  new  and  aw- 
ful fcene,  and  not  knowing  where  to  flee  for  refuge  ! 
The  innocent  fair,  with  their  blooming  beauty  fuffufed 
by  their  watery  eyes,  lamenting  over  their  mangled, 
bleeding,  dying  and  departed,  hufbands,  fathers  and 
friends,  and  their  diftreffing  palpitations  of  heart 
burfting  into  the  moft  grievous  fighs  ! 

BUT  the  invincible  love  of  liberty,  prompted  the  re- 
publican militia  to  fly  to  the  field  of  action,  in  defence 
of  their  country's  rights,  and  bravely  purfue  the  ene- 
my to  Charleftown  neck.* 

THOSE  heroes  who  took  an  aclive  part  in  the  defence 
of  their  country  on  that  day,  will  always  be  held  in 
grateful  remembrance  by  the  friends  of  freedom. — • 
Their  firmnefs  at  that  trying  period,  under  the  aufpices 
of  Divine  Providence,  laid  the  foundation  of  the  in- 
dependence and  happinefs  which  we  now  enjoy. 

THE  feventeenth  of  June,  the  fame  year,  exhibited 
*  Sixty  Republicans  rod  250  Britons  fell  afacrificcon  that  day- 


C       M       ] 

another  fpccimen  of  the  diftrefles  of  that  unjuft  war, 
in  the  battle  of  Bunker's-hill,  and  the  definition  of 
Charleftown.  How  painful  the  idea,  that  five  hun- 
dred republicans  muft  be  deftroyed  on  that  day,  as  a 
token  of  royal  difpleafure,  when  a  thou land  men  of 
the  royal  army,  muft  fall  a  facrifice  in  effecting  it  ;  a 
flouriihing  town  reduced  to  ames  ;  the  inhabitants 
plundered  of  their  property  and  fcattered  abroad, 
without  the  means  of  fubfiitence,  in  coniequence  of 
their  attachment  to  the  caufe  of  liberty,  the  caufe  of 
their  country,  the  caufe  of  GOD  !  Their  cafe  ought 
never  to  fail  of  the  moft  cordial  £ommiferation  of 
their  country  :  The  recolleclion  of  it  never  can  fail 
of  exciting  painful  fenfations  in  every  benevolent 
heart. 

EXTACY  of  joy  filled  every  countenance  on  the  c- 
vacuation  of  Bolion  by  the  enemy  in  1776.  The  ci- 
tizens of  that  town  were  thereby  enabled  to  return  in 
fafety  to  their  delightful  habitations,  from  whence,  af- 
ter fuffering  a  long  feries  of  defpotic  oppreffioii,  they 
had  been  obliged  to  flee,  and  take  refuge  among  their 
friends  in  the  country,  or  join  the  royal  ftandard, 
which,  thanks  be  to  Heaven,  they  difdained  with  he- 
roic contempt. 

BUT  how  foon  were  the  diftreffes  of  war  felt  in  a 
ten  fpld  degree  in  many  other  parts  of  the  United 
States,  which  continued  with  unrelenting  fury  for 
eight  years.  Lar^e  armies  of  Britifh  troops  and  fo- 
reign mercenaries,  purfuing  their  works  of  plunder, 
devaflation  and  death,  through  that  diftreffing  period. 

THE  ever  memorable  declaration  of  Independence 
was  of  much  importance  to  the  United  States  in  repel- 
ling the  enemy ;  it  enabled  them  to  obtain  foreign 
fuccour,  much  to  their  advantage. 


[       '-5       ] 

THE  fteady,  uniform  and  perfevering  conducl  cf 
the  people  of  the  United  States  during  the  war,  excit- 
ed the  aftonifhment  of  the  civilized  world,  and  induc- 
ed their  enemy  to  acknowledge  the  juftice  of  their 
caufe.  They  cheerfully  encountered  every  danger, 
and  manfully  oppofed  every  aggreflion.  Every  man 
was  ready  to  act  the  part  of  the  foldier,  and  each  fol- 
dier  retained  the  appellation  of  citizen.  An  army 
of  citizens  voluntarily  engaged^*  a  part  during  the  war, 
and  the  remainder  for  fhorter  periods,  fufficient,  with 
the  afftftance  of  the  militia,  and  our  then  generous  al- 
ly, to  repel  the  aggreffions  of  the  enemy. 

WHEN  the  war  was  over,  as  became  republicans, 
the  army  cheerfully  re  fumed  their  former  occupa- 
tions, while  our  beloved  WASHINGTON,  their  com- 
mander, after  taking  a  pathetic  leave  of  them,  refign- 
ed  his  commiffion  into  the  hands  of  the  Preiident 
of  Congrefs,  amidft  the  applaufes  of  his  admiring 
countrymen,  and  like  the  Roman  Cincinnatus,  return- 
ed to  the  honorable  employment  of  agriculture. — 
Their  military  operations,  with  a  WASHINGTON  at 
their  head,  would  have  done  immortal  honor  to  long 
experienced  officers  and  veteran  troops.  Good  or- 
der was  preferved  in  all  the  ftates,  even  before  their 
fyftcms  of  civil  governments  were  framed.  Each 
ftafce  made  great  exertions  to  excel  in  the  defence  of 
the  common  caufe. 

THE  proceedings  of  Congrefs  exhibit  the  moft 
(hiking  combination  of  abilities,  integrity,  profound 
knowledge  and  unfhaken  {lability,  that  is  to  be  found 
in  the  hiftory  of  man  ;  among  which  is  the  im- 
mortal declaration  of  Independence,  fubfcribcd  by 
a  lift  of  worthies  from  each  Itate,  whofe  names  will 
be  ever  dear  to  the  friends  of  liberty.  The  conven- 
tions  for  framing  the  ftate  and  federal  conftitutions,  as 
though  infpired  from  heaven,  compofed  the  glorious 


t    M    J 

fyftem  of  civil  government,  which,  by  the  blefling  of 
Providence,  is  now  enjoyed  by  the  people  of  the  li- 
nked States.  Thefe  important  fervices  can  never  be 
forgotten  by  a  grateful  country. 

WELL  might  General  BUR  COYNE  exclaim  in  ih* 
Britifh  parliament,  after  his  capture  at  Saratoga  and 
return  to  England,  that  the  war  with  America  was 
wrong  ;  that  the  uniform  conducl  of  the  people  hud 
convinced  him  of  the  fad.  "  PalFion,  prejudice  and 
intereft  might  operate  fuddenly  and  partially  ;  but 
when  we  faw  one  principle  pervading  the  whole  con- 
tinent, the  Americans  refolutely  encountering  diffi- 
culties and  death,  for  a  eourfe  of  years,  it  mud  be  d 
drong  vanity  and  prefumpnon  in  our  minds,  which 
would  only  lead  us  to  imagine  that  they  were  not  in 
the  right.  It  was  reafon  and  the  finger  of  GOD  alone, 
that  implanted  the  fame  fentiment  in  three  millions  of 
people." 

AMIDST  the  calamities  of  war,  as  though  our  inde- 
pendence had  been  recorded  in  Heaven,  the  people  of 
each  ftate  framed  a  conftitution  for  themfelves,  all 
founded  on  republican  principles  and  iimilar  to  each 
other.  The  ftates  alfo  entered  into  articles  of  eon- 
federation  for  the  general  defence.  When  the  arti- 
cles of  confederation  were  found  inadequate  to  the 
purpofes  for  which  they  were  adopted >  the  efficacy  of 
republicanifm  made  a  confpicuous  appearance  in  the 
free  deliberations  of  the  people  on,  and  their  adoption 
of,  the  federal  conftitution,  which  is  alfo  founded  on 
republican  principles,  and  guarantees  a  republican 
form  of  government  to  every  ftate  in  the  Union. 

THUS  a  complete  fyftem  of  civil  government  has 
been  framed  and  adopted  by  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  every  way  calculated  to  render  them  politically 
happy.  The  ftate  governments  are  vefted  with  all 


jjf 

C     17     ] 

the  pdwers  neceflary  to  regulate  the  police,  and  pun- 
ifh  the  aggreffions  which  are  of  a  local  nature ;  and 
thofe  fubje&s  which  relate  to  the  general  defence  and 
welfare,  are  delegated  to  the  federal  government. 

FROM  the  different  habits,  interefl  and  circumftan- 
ces  of  the  people  in  this  extended  territory,  compre- 
hending nearly  fix  hundred  million  acres  of  land,  iitu- 
ate  in  different  climates,  it  is  not  conceived  within  the 
power  ofhurhan  wifdom,  to  frame  a  code  of  laws 
touching  all  the  fubjects  of  legiflation,  which  would 
properly  apply  to  the  people  of  all  the  dates.  Jicnce 
the  federal  and  date  governments  are  of  equal  im- 
portance in  the  general  fyftem,  and  mull  be  equally 
fupported  and  defended,  if  we  would  perpetuate  the 
fyftem  in  its  purity.  Our  legiflators,  both  ftate 
and  federal,  are  of  ourfelves,  and  our  prefident  and 
governors  proceed  from  the  midft  of  us ;  the  fove- 
reignty  is  in  the  body  of  the  people  ;  all  our  public 
agents  periodically  return  to  private  life,  and  the  peo- 
ple have  retained  the  power  and  the  right  to  change 
them  at  each  revolving  election. 

Is  it  poflible,  that  a  fyftem  of  civil  government  can 
be  better  calculated  to  fuit  the  fituation  and  circumftan- 
ces,  and  to  promote  thehappinefs  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States  ?  How  confpicuous  are  its  beauties. 
It  feems  irideed,  that  nothing  fhort  of  infpiration  from 
heaven  could  have  directed  to  fuch  a  wonderful  fyf- 
tem. Many  years  experience  have  fully  proved  its 
fuperior  excellencies,  and  clearly  demonftrated  its 
ethereal  qualities. 

To  fecure  and  perpetuate  thefe  all  important  pri- 
vileges, it  is  highly  incumbent  on  us  to  follow  the 
laudable  example  of  thofe  who  were  inftrumental  in 
procuring  them. 

C 


WITH  a  fpecial  regard  to  the  profperity  and  hapf 
p>incfs  of  the  people,  legiflators  \vili  always  consider 
the  conftitution  of  their  country  as  the  pole  ftar  of 
fheir  political  conduct.  Executive  and  judicial  offi- 
cers will  finally  execute  the  laws ;  but  cautioufly 
avoid  fubllituting  thole  things  for  law  which  have 
nc\er  received  leg-illative  {auction ;  for  our  govern- 
ment is  a  government  of  laws,  and  not  of  men. 

EACH  in'dlvidual  in  our  republic  will  confider  hhn- 
felf  under  the  mol!  facred  obligations  to  refpect  the 
political  tranfaclions  of  a  majority  of  the  people,  and 
the  laws  made  by  the  conllituted  authority. 

If  any  fart  of  the'  adm'inid  ration  of  the  government 
ihouldat  any  tiitfc  prove  injurious  or  burthcrifome  to 
ihe  people,  the  fault  cannot  be  attributed  to  the  fyltem 
coinpofed  by  t;ur  (late  and  federal  conltitutions,  but 
mult  reft  on  thoie  who  are  intruded  with  the  adminif- 
i ration  of  it :  Thole  therefore  who  may  conhder  them- 
I'elves  thus  aggricvcd,will  cautioufly  and  confci'entiouf- 
Iv  avoid  all  unconllitutional  ami  illegal  meafures  in 
their  purfuit  of  redrcfs  ;  and  {trictly  adhere  to  fucH 
meafures  only,  as  are  pointed  out  by  the  iyitcm  itfelf. 

THE  government  of  the  United  States,  (including 
the  itate  governments,)  will  be  considered  the  palladi- 
um of  our  political  happinefs  ;  and  will  be  iupported 
iirid  defended  by  every  friend  to  liberty  and  the  rights 
of  man.;  a^ainit  every  fpe'cies  of  foreign  a^^reflion  and 

?     Q  •..**,. i       •  ^       ^o 

internal  usurpation  arid  violence. 

THE  man  who  would  not  defend  the  United  States 
againfl  the  aggredions  of  the  molt  favored  foreign  na- 
tion, at  the  rifque  of  his  life  and  property,  is  uttterly 
vinwo'rthy  of  .the  privileges  enjoyed  by  their  citizens', 
i^nd  ought  immediately  to  be  -eompelled  to  repair  to 
that  Hate  of YafFalnge  \vhicTT  his  conduct  juftly  merits. 


LARGE  (landing  armies  have  been  regarded  by  our 
late  beloved  WASHINGTON,  as  \vell  as  by  other  great 
and  good  men  in  all  countries,  as  particularly  hodile 
•to  republican  liberty;  while  the  militia,  compofed  of 
the  citizens,  has  been  confidcred  the  only  proper  mi- 
litary force  in  a  free  government.  Thofe  fentiments 
comport  with  the  fundamental  principles  of  our  gov- 
ernment, and  mutt  be  icnipuioudy  regarded,  if  ws 
would  fupport  and  perpetuate  it. 

: 

IT  was  the  inftrumentallty  of  ftanding  armies,  that 
enabled  the  Roman  generals,  after  inflaming  the  qur- 
rels  between  the  Batriciiris  and  Plebians,  to  eftablifh  an 
•hereditary  monarchy  in  Rome,  and  lay  the  foundation 
ibrthedeilruction  of  republican  liberty  which  had  been 
itipported  by  that  nation  many  hundred  years;  that  in 
connexion  with  the  want  of  a  confederacy  among  the 
Hates  of  Greece,  enabled  Philip,  king  of  Macedon,  to 
gain  an  afcendency  over  the  Grecian  republics,  exter- 
minate their  liberty,  and  eftablifh  himfelf  hereditary 
monarch  and  defpot  ;  that  prompted  Alexander  his 
ion  and  fucceiTor  :Co  «purfue  his  ambitious  thirllfor  con- 
qucft,  until  he  ipread  dcvaftation  over  a  great  part  of 
the  world  ;  that  induced  Hannibal  to  afcend  the  icy 
Alps,  and  cut  lubtcrraneous  parfagcs  through  craggV 
mountains,  for  the  dcfcent  of  his  army  upon  the  plains 
of  Italy,  in  purfuit  of  plunder  and  conquefl  ;  that 
produced  the  deftruBion  of  the  beautiful  city  of 
Carthage  and  magacred  its  inhabitants ;  that  incite^ 
Caefar  and  f  ompey  to  pjunge  the  citizens  of  Rome  in- 
to a  bloody  and  defoiating  war  with  each  other ;  that 
enabled  the  haughty  Romans  to  deftroy  the  much  cc\c: 
b rated  city  of  Corinth,  maflacrc  the  unoffending  males, 
and  fell  the  innocent  females  for  flaves,  arid  extend 
opprefTion  and  conqueft  with  unrelenting  (Way ;  that 
enabled  the  Spaniih  monarchs  to  purfue  their  fyftem 
p/gerfecution,  dcvaftation  and  bloodlhed,  in  the  U 


ed  Provinces  of  Holland,  fo  long  a  time  ;  that  enabled 
the  Britiih  monarch  to  invade  the  rights  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  and  in  the  field,  in  loathfome  guard-fhips, 
and  dreary  prifons,  to  deftroy  near  eighty  thoufand  of 
our  beloved  fellow-citizens  ;  and  that,  under  the  au- 
fpices  and  direction  of  arbitrary  governments,  have 
produced  a  great  part  of  the  mifery  and  bloodfhed 
which  have  taken  place  in  the  world.  Large  (landing 
armies  have  rooted  out  republican  liberty  wherever 
they  have  been  eftabliihed  ;  but  the  militia,  compoied 
of  the  body  of  the  citizens,  have  proved  a  fure  fource 
of  defence  in  free  countries.  Ancient  and  modern  re- 
publics  have  always  retained  their  liberty,  and  enjoy- 
ed profperity,  while  their  defence  hath  been  thus  com- 
pofed.  Wifdom  hath  direQed  the  United  States  to 
this  proper  and  efficient  mode  of  defence.  It  is  the 
language  of  our  government,  it  has  been  the  repeate4 
decifion  of  our  legiflatures,  and  the  con,ftant  and  moft 
cordial  voice  of  the  people. 

WHILE  we  acknowledge  with  gratitude  the  readi- 
nefs  of  our  fellow-citizens  who  compofed  the  late  raif. 
ed  army,  to  obey  the  voice  of  their  country,  in  taking 
the  field,  we  rejoice  with  them  that  jheir  military  fer- 
vices  were  no  longer  required. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  OF  THE 

MILITIA  OF  MIDDLESEX. 

To  the  militia  of  the  United  States  is  committed  the 
fnilitary  defence  of  our  beloved  country,  its  indepen- 
dence, government  and  liberty,  againft  all  foreign  in- 
vafion  and  internal  violence.  The  recent  decifion  of 
our  federal  legiflature  in  difcharging  the  army  which 
\vas  raifed  and  jn  the  field,  at  a  period  when  a  great 
part  of  the  old  world  are  engaged  in  the  moft  fanguina- 
ry  war,  is  an  honorable  teftimony  and  renewal  of  that 
high  confidence  which  our  country  have  repofedinus. 
The  ftation  which  we  hold  in  the  military  defence  of 


[       si       J 

our  country,  is  highly  important  and  honorable.  And 
in  order,  as  near  as  may  be,  to  equalize  the  burthen 
of  militia  duty,  all  the  able  bodied  citizens  are  called 
on  by  rotation  to  perform  it,  through  a  certain  period 
of  life  ;  except  fuch  as  are  in  other  public  employ- 
ments, which  render  it  incompatible. 

WE  are  required  by  the  laws  of  our  country,  and 
the  ftrongeft  ties  of  duty,  to  be  conftantly  armed  and 
equipped  as  foldiers;  to  acquaint  ourfelves  with  tactics ; 
and  at  all  times  to  hold  ourfelves  in  the  mod  perfect 
readinefs  to  take  the  field,  in  defence  of  our  country's 
rights. 

DISCIPLINE  is  an  eflential  requifite  in  all  military 
£orps  ;  without  it  an  army  would  be  of  but  little  ufe  ; 
in  a  combat  with  veteran  troops,  they  would  foon  be- 
come a  confufed  difqrderly  mafs,  arid  fall  an  eafy  prey 
to  their  enemy. 

THE  difcipline  of  the  militia  of  the  United  States,  is 
as  important  as  the  privileges  which  we  enjoy  ;  for 
without  difcipline,  it  would  be  prepofterous  and  vain 
for  us  to  imagine  that  the  defence  of  our  invaluable 
treafures  were  fafely  deppfited. 

DISCIPLINE  will  give  the  militia  confidence  in  them- 
felves,  in  cafe  of  an  invafion  by  veteran  troops ;  it  will 
prompt  them  with  heroic  fortitude  to  encounter  an  ene- 
my ;  it  will  afford  them  courage  and  confolation  in 
time  of  a&ion ;  and  it  will  enable  them,  by  Divine  af- 
fiftance,  to  repel  and  conquer  the  moft'  formidable 
force,  which  the  machinations  of  defppts  and  the  ene- 
mies of  our  liberty  can  produce  againft  us. 

A  WELL  difciplined  militia,  compofed  of  five  hun- 
dred thoufand  freemen,  owners  of  the  foil  of  their 
country,  who  have  the  deareft  cormeftions  to  defend^ 


[          22          } 

and  who  are  daily  feafting  on  the  delicious  ftreams 
•"which  flow  from  the  fountain  of  liberty,  under  the  au- 
fpices  of  our  moft  excellent  fyltem  of  government,  will 
have  the  greateft  imaginable  tendency  to  deter  foreign 
nations  from  attempting  to  annoy  us,  and  internal  op- 
poiition  to  our  liberty  and  government,  from  buriting 
into  a  flame,  and  thereby  prevent  the  elfufion  of  much 
human  blood. 

A  WELL  difciplined  militia  will  be  the  fureft  defence 
againft  the  machinations  of  artful  and  defigning  men, 
-who  wifh  to  fubvert  the  principles  of  our  government, 
and  introduce  an  hereditary  fyftcm  ;  it  will  be  the  on- 
ly certain  means  of  faving  our  republic,  and  of  preferv- 
ing  our  federal  and  Hate  conftitutions  inviolate. 

BOTH  officers  and  privates  will  therefore  feel  the 
prefling  neceffity,  as  w<ell  as  the  binding  obligations 
of  duty  which  devolves  on  them  ;  to  pay  the  ftriclefi 
attention  to  military  difcipline,  order  and  fubordina- 
tion,  with  an  unreierved  determination  punctually  to 
obey  the  mandates  of  their  country,  and  render,by  their 
honorable  military  conduft,  every  pretext  for  a  Hand- 
ing army,  prepoftcrous  and  contemptible. 

MAY  the  foldier-like  appearance?  order  and  difci- 
pline of  the  divifion  at  tftis  meeting,  afford  fatisfac- 
tion  to  the  friends  of  freedom.  May  it  meet  the  ap- 
probation of  his  excellency  the  governor,  our  com- 
mander in  chief  in  this  Hate  ;  and  although  he  is  not 
prefent,  may  it  exhibit  to  him  a  juft  fpecimen  of  the 
military  ftrength  of  the  ftate  over  which  he  prefides  ; 
\vhile  he  felicitates  himfelf  in  the  contemplation,  that 
his  command  alone,  is  amply  fufficient  to  fupercede 
the  baneful  neceffity  of  a  Handing  army. 

PROPRIETY  of  conduct  in  the  divifion,  on  this  as  well 
as  on  all  other  oecafions,  will  be  highly  gratifying  u> 


our  beloved  major-general,  who,  in  connection  with 
many  prefent,  has  manfully,  and  with  high  reputation, 
afted  the  part  of  the  foldier  for  eight  years,  in  defence 
of  republican  liberty ;  and  has  fince  that  period,  done 
much  to  promote  the  order,  difcipline  and  refpeclabil- 
ity  of  the  militia  :  May  his  brilliant  talents  and  pro- 
found abilities,  added  to  his  military  knowledge,  pa- 
triotic zeal  and'benevoleiit  diipofition,  ever  grace  the 
high  and  important  ftation  which  he  holds,  and  com- 
mand a  fuitable  veneration  and  refpecl  from  his  fellow- 
citizens,  while  we  molt  earned ly  invoke  the  Supreme 
Governor  of  events,  long  to  continue  him  in  life,  and 
in  his  military  command.  Propriety  of  conducl  in  the 
divifion  will  be  pleafmg  to  our  worthy  and  refpe6table 
brigadier-generals ;  and  afford  confolation  to  thole 
vho  are  officers  of  lower  rank — -and  privates. 

MAY  a  laudable  fpirit  of  emulation  ever  prompt 
e  militia  of  Middlefex,  and  of  the  United  States,  to 
excel  in  order  and  difcipline,  and  their  love  of  liber- 
ty, independence  and  the  government  which  they 
have  affiited  in  eitablifhing,  excite  in  them  an  unalte- 
rable determination,  cheerfully  to  difcharge  the  part 
of  duty  which  legally  devolves  on  them,  in  a  man- 
ner which  will  convince  the  world  that  it  will  be  in 
vain  for  the  enemies  of  our  independence  and  govern- 
ment to  affail  our  rights. 

ALL  claiTes  of  our  citizens  being  equally  interefted 
in  our  independence  and  government,  their  protection 
and  defence  is  equally  obligatory  on  all. 

IT  muft  afford  confolation  to  the  American  Fair, 
that  the  hiftory  of  ages  will  exhibit  honorable  teftimo- 
ny  of  female  oppofition  to  arbitrary  governments,  and 
of  their  virtuous  attachment  to  the  caufe  of  freedom. 
They  had  an  important  fhare  in  effecting  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States.  Their  foft  and  impelling 


t     *±     3 

mjun&ions  on  their  friends,  manfully  to  defend  the 
caufe  of  their  country,  and  their  readinefs  to  encoun- 
ter the  moft  preffing  difficulties  to  procure  its  liberty, 
increafed  the  ardor  of  the  citizen,  and  afforded  confo- 
lation  to  the  foldier.  Our  country  having  obtained 
the  important  privileges  which  they  were  anxioufly  fo- 
licitous  to  enjoy,  we  cannot  doubt  but  their  virtuous 
exertions  and  important  influence,  will  have  an  honor- 
able mare  in  their  perpetuity. 

IT  is  highly  important^  in  the  fupportof  our  rights, 
to  cultivate  friendfhip  and  unanimity  among  our- 
felves,  and  peace,  where  it  can  be  had  upon  honora- 
ble terms,  with  all  the  nations  of  the  world.  Peace  is 
a  beautiful  characleriftic  of  a  republican  government. 
It  is  one  of  the  richeft  bleflmgs  of  fociety.  The  ex- 
cellency of  its  qualities  ought  to  be  a  fufficient  incite- 
ment to  its  univerfal  promotion. 

THE  coriftitutional  privileges  of  the  people  are 
immediately  connected  with  the  exiftence  of  our 
government,  and  ought  riever  to  be  neglected. 
Knowledge  and  virtue  among  the  people  are  al- 
fo  infeparably  connected  with  the  exiftence  of  a  re- 
publican government ;  they  muft  ftand  and  fall  to- 
gether. It  is  therefore  indifpenfibly  necefiary,  if  we 
would  fupport  our  government,  to  promote  induftry 
and  frugality  ;  the  arts  and  fciences,  and  all  kinds  of 
tifeful  education ;  to  countenance  and  inculcate  the 
principles  of  humanity  and  general  benevolence,  and 
all  thefocial  virtues,  with  an  exemplary  veneration  fo# 
piety,  morality  and  religion,  which  crowns  the  charac- 
ter of  man,  and  add  a  glorious  luftre  to  all  his  other 
qualifications. 

WHILE  we  mourn    the   lofs  of  our  late  beloved 
WASHINGTON,  and  the  many  heroes  and  flatefmen  of 
country,  who  have  recently  paid  the  debt  of 


[      25 

I 

turc,  let  us  for  a  moment,  recur  to  the  gloomy  and 
diftreffing  period  of  our  revolutionary  war,  in  which 
near  eighty  thoufand  of  our  fellow-citizens  prefented 
before  the  altar  of  their  country,  offered  themfelves 
a  willing  facrifice  in  behalf  of  pofterity,  to  pro- 
cure that  independence  and  free  government,  which 
is  now  the  glory  of  the  United  States.  Recognize 
them  in  the  excruciating  agonies  of  death,  with  their 
garments  rolled  in  blood,  and  where  is  the  heart  fo 
loft  to  ienfibility  and  diity  as  to  violate  thefe  dear 
bought  privileges,  this  precious  trcafure  ?  May  it 
never  be  found  to  difgrace  the  American  Republic. 

THE  convulfioris  in  Europe  have  recently  threat- 
ened to  annoy  our  peace  ;  much  of  our  property  has) 
been  unjuftly  taken  by  the  contending  powers ;  and 
great  expence  has  been  incured  by  the  defenlive  mea- 
lures  which  have  been  adopted — in  regard  to  the  ne- 
ceffity  of  a  part  of  which,  it  is  well  known  that  there 
has  been  a  difference  of  fentiiiient,  both  in  the  legifla- 
ture,  and  among  the  people.  Yet,  how  happy  is  our 
fituation,  when  compared  with  that  of  other  nations  ? 
We  ftill  retain  all  our  important  privileges.  The 
foundation  of  our  government  has  not  been  fhaken  ; 
and  we  may  felicitate  ourfelves  and  our  country,  that, 
the  clouds  which  for  fome  time  paft  have  darkened  our 
political  hemifphere,  begin  to  difperfe  ;  and  from  the 
wife  meafures  adopted  by  the  Prefident  of  the  United 
States,  there  is  the  moft  plcafing  profpeci  of  a  fpeedy 
and  amicable  fettlement  with  the  French  Republic. 

How  exceedingly  precious  are  the  bleffings  confer- 
ed  on  us  by  INFINITE  WISDOM.  While  a  great  part 
of  the  old  world  is  overwhelmed  in  defpotic  oppref- 
iiori,  involved  in  the  moft  diftrefling  calamities,  and 
their  land  deluged  in  human  blood,  the  important  blefl- 

D 


t     26     3 

ings  of  peace,  plenty,  independence,  and  ciyil  and  re- 
ligious liberty,  under  the  aufpices  of  an  energetic  re- 
publican government,  are  by  the  beneficence  of  Hea- 
ven, continued  to  the  United  States. 

MAY  the  people  ever  realize  the  ineftimable  worth 
of  our  independence,  government  and  liberty,  and 
cheerfully  perform  every  part  of  duty  incumbent  on 
them  for  their  fupport  and  defence,  with  a  firm  reli- 
ance on  the  SUPREME  GOVERNOR  of  the  Univerfe  for 
their  continuance,  until  time  (hall  be  no  more  I 


FINIS. 


IBRAIU 


IBRARIE! 


of  Mass. 


nilitia. 


M189459 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


U.C.BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


